Pressing machine



Aug. zo, i940.

A. u. WALTER r l 2,212,188

PRESSING MACHINE Filed April 19, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l Hin '86 -55 94 Ei! @im 92 -i L l. a k ll '9i 'Jnventor z ubmmxmmi MN@ fw.

Gttornegs Aug- 20, 1940 A. u. WALTER PRESSING MACHINE Filed April 19, 1938 5 *Sheets-Sheet 2 l'lllllllll l lll/l (Ittornegs Aug. 20,` 1940. A. u. WALTER PREss'ING MACHINE Filed April 19, 1938 5 Shets-Sheet 3 Aug.`20, 1940. A. u'. WALTER PRESSING MACHINE Filed April 19, 193s 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 20, 1940.

A. U. WALTER PRESSING MACHINE Filed April 19. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 (lttornegls Patented Aug. 20,1940

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFifCe PRESSING MACHINE Albert U. Walter, Baltimore, Md.

Application April 19, 1938, Serial No. 202,939

19 Claims. (Cl. 38-28) This invention pertains to garment presses, and more particularly Vto that type wherein the pressing operation is effected through the utilization of power driven mechanism, as for instance a constantly rotating electric motor.

In the structure herein shown and described,

`various operations necessary to a complete treatment of a garment may be effected through the utilization oi power mechanism; rst, the head may be caused to move down into light contact with the garment imposed upon the buck; secondly, the head may be caused to move into light pressing relation with the garment imposed upon the buck, and thereafter, as a continuing operation, causedto move into heavy pressure relation with the buck and to be automatically locked in such position; and, lastly, the head may be oscillated toward and from the buck to effect what is known in the trade as a patting operation with reference to the garment which is at that time resting upon the buck. The sequence of these operations may be varied as desired,

With these and other advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, reference is had to the annexed drawings, wherein: l

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away and with the pressing elements in their heavy pressing relation;

, Fig. 2, a rear elevation of the lower portion of the closing and opening toggle and certain of the actuating mechanism cooperative therewith;

Fig. 3, an elevation of the operative mechanism with the parts in that position Where the press head will be elevated and susceptible of going through a cycle to eiect the patting operation;

Fig. 4, a vertical` sectional view taken on the line `IV-IV of Fig. 3; i l

Fig. 5, a detail sectional View showing the mounting of one end of the clutch band;

Fig. 6, a side elevation of the hand operated mechanism utilized forinitiating the heavy pressure, the full line position showing the parts interlocked to preclude movement thereof;

i 7, a front elevation ofthe parts shown in Fig. 6; 4 i

. Fig. 8, a perspective View of a xed supporting bracket which carries the cam element utilized for initiating the clutching operation and certain limiting stop elements;

Fig. 9, a perspective viewA of certain parts of the clutching mechanism, including the clutch band and certain associated parts;

Fig. 10, a view of the toggle mechanism and th straightening and releasing means; and

Fig. 11, a side elevation of a `slight modication 'of the press closing and press opening mechanism.

Broadly stated, the structure involves a xed buck or pressing element, a head carried by a lever, a toggle for raising and lowering said lever, a constantly rotating motor, means under the direct control of the operator for establishing a connection between said motor and the toggle to partially straighten the same to bring abouta patting operation between the head and buck, and other means likewise under the control ofthe operator for fully straightening the toggle and maintaining it as long as desired in such straightened position, and this without stopping the motor. y

The means for straightening the toggle, namely a constantly reciprocating rod-or bar, also functions to break the toggle when the parts are moved to press releasing position.

In the drawings, l denotes the Vbase of the machine from which arise the sde'frames or plates I l and l2. Above the base is the usual buck I3 cooperative to effect a pressing relation with a head I4 carried at the forwardend of a lever I5. The lever I5, as is usual, is fulcrumed at I6 upon the upwardly extending portions Il of the machine frame.

The rear end of the lever I will preferably be counterweighted and it is designed tobe raised and lowered through the straightening `and breaking of a toggle comprising` links I8 and I9 pivotally connected as at 2|. The lower link I8 is pivoted to the base ofthe frame at 22and the upper end of vthe link I9 is pivotally connected at 23 to a bell crank lever 24, which, in turn, is pivotally connected to the head carrying lever I5 as at 25.

To the upwardly extending arm of the bell crank 24 there is attached a box 26 in which is housed a spring 21 co-operative with a head or abutment 28 upon the forwardly extending rod 29 which passes through a fixed cross-bar 3l attached to and located between the side members of the head carrying lever I5. A hand wheel 32 is secured to the forward end of the rod 29 and by turning it the spring 2l' may be placed under greater or less compression and thereby shorten the effective length of the rod and, consequently,

`the effective pressure which may be brought about between the elements I3 and I4.

As above indicated, the mechanism is designed to be driven by a constantly rotating electric motor EM which, however, has attached to its shaft a worm 33 (see Fig. 4) meshing with the worm wheel 34 keyed to a shaft 35 mounted in suitable bearings located within the housing 3S secured to the frame element Il. The shaft extends inwardly as shown in said gure, and has keyed to it a drum-like member 3l the outer face whereof forms a gripping surface for a clutch band hereinafter described. The motor EM produces a consant rotating movement of the other driving members, 33, 34, 35 and 37, while the machine is operated.

Extending outwardly from the inner face of the drum-like member 3l is an eccentrically positioned crank pin or stud 38, said pin being provided with a suitable bushing or bearing over which is passed the eye of a push bar 39. It is held in place upon the stud by any suitable means.

The drum-like member 3'! is recessed or has an annular groove formed in its inner face,y producing an annular bearing, said groove and bearing both being concentric with the shaft 35. A bushing is mounted upon the bearing fac-e and forms the support for a hub d?? of a casting def noted generally by 43 (see more particularly Fig. 9), herein termed a clutch band carrier.

l The member 43 is-provded with a laterally extending bracket lili in which is adjustably mounted a spring box or housing 45 (see Fig. 5.) and cooperating with the spring in said housing and slidable relative to the housing is a threaded bolt 46 attached to one end of a clutch band The opposite end of the band. is attached to a pin or'stud 48 which is formed eccentrically as an integral part of a rocking stub shaft 49. The shaft 49 is mounted in a laterally extending sleeve 5l formed as an integral part of themember 43 and has pinned to its outer end an arm 52 (see Fig. 9). Arm 52 is provided with a laterally extending finger 53 which forms the anchorage for one end of a coil spring 54, the opposite end of which underlies a nger or projection formed as an integralr part of said member k153. In addition to the ringer 53, the arm 52 has mounted `Il and I2 by a through bolt 6l.

thereon a roller 55 which tends to rotate the shaft 49 clockwise and place vthe spring under compression when the arm is moved by a cam now to be described.

The cam is best shown in Fig. 8. 'Ihe active face of the cam is denoted by 55 and is concentric with the shaft 35 and the parts allied therewith when said cam i-s in its operative or its outward position, The cam is pivotally mounted upon a stud 51 secured to a casting or bracket-like member 58 rigidly aixed to the frame element |2'by a bolt 59, and to both side frame members The cam is interrupted or has a depression formed therein adjacent its pivot support 5l', so that the roller 55 when it travels into line with said depression may move inwardl-y thereof under the impulse of the spring 54.'

Cam 56 also has an arm 62, the outer end whereof is bifurcated and in which there is rotatably mounted a through pin E3, through which extends a draw link 54 carrying a nut G at its upper end. The link 6l! is encircled by a spring 65fwhich reacts between the bifuroated end of arm 52 and lock nuts 66T threaded upon the link. At its lower end, the link is connected to a foot lever 61 fulcrumed at 68 in the machine frame. Spring 65 coacts with the link 64 to form a resilient thrust connection between the foot lever 61 and the cam arm B2 for the purpose of absorbing any excess motion during operation of the parts. The foot lever is provided with an adjustable stop 70 to limit the downward Inovement `of its inner end. Lever 6l, of course, extends outwardly to a point where it may be operated or depressed by the operators foot.

Cam 56 is provided with an integrally formed stop element 69 which cooperates with a similar xed stop i! upon the bracket 58 to limit the outward movement of said cam. In said outward position the cam exerts its maximum contraction of the clutch band fil'. Wear and proper tension of the band is taken care of by axial adjustment of the spring box d5. Bracket 53 at its lower end is provided with a laterally extending arm 'I2 and a tension spring i3 is secured between the outer end of said arm l2 and a nger M formed upon the cam element. The spring normally holds the parts in inoperative position.

Extending downwardly from the upper portion of the bracket 5B is a fixed arm l5 having formed at its lower end a stop 'i5 designed to cooperate with asimilar stop 'Il carried by the member i3 when the parts come to the position shown in Fig. l, that is to stay, when the head and buck are brought togetherv in heavy pressing relationship, In other words, the stop Tl which is movable with the member 43 comes into Contact with the iixed stop l5- carried by the bracket element 5B and arrests the rotative movement of the member 43, thereby limiting the movement of the toggle elements I8 and li! in locked position, which position is on or slightly past dead-center, as in Fig. l.

Hooked to the bolt 6l is the lower end of a heavy coil s ring 73. The upper end of this spring, in turn, is connected to the forward extension of the bell crank 24, as best shown in Fig. l.. Spring 'i3 serves in a measure to swing the rear end of the head carrying lever` l5 downwardly to open the press. In addition to the yspring 18, I propose to employ a second spring i9 adjustably secured at its forward end to a fixed portion of the frame and at its rear or inner end to the lower link or member i8 of the toggle mechanism.

The push bar 39, heretofore referred to, is designed to move the toggles to heavy pressure position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 10), as well as to break the same, and a pitman 3l is employed to partially straighten. the toggle and thus bring the head and buck together to secure a light pressure or to reciprocate the head to and away from the buck, to secure the patting action.

Pitman 8l at its rear end is pivotally connected as at 82 to the lower link I8, and at its forward end is pivotally attached to a stud or bearing member 83 carried by the member 43 (see Fig. 9). The pitman 8l at no time fully closes the press, or in other words, does not fully straighten the toggle as will hereinafter more fully appear,

but can only bring it to the position shown in.

dotted lines in Fig. 3. The contacting of the head and buck determines this position. In this position, a light pressure is obtained between the head and the buck, which pressure may be varied slightly by the clutch adjustment. The clutch acting through the pitman 8l cannot straighten the toggle since slightly past this point the clutch will be released because the roller 55 will drop into the depression in the cam adjacent to its pivot support 51, above referred to, thereby releasing the clutch. y

The upper portion of the link I8 of the toggle mechanism is bifurcated and the push bar 39 extends freely therethrough. Adjacent its rear end and on its under face, it is provided with a shoulder 84` designed under certain conditions, hereinafter set forth, to contact a roller 85 mounted upon a shaft or bolt carried by the bifurcated portion ofthe link I8. Adjacent the lrear end and to each side thereof, the push bar 39 is- -provided with lugs 86 (see more particularly Figs. 1 and 2) which project outwardly to such an extent that under certain conditions they will contact pads 8l formed upon the rear face of the upper portion of the link I8 and break thetoggle. l

Pivotally connected to the rear end of the push bar 39 is a depending link 88, the lower portion of which is slotted at 89 and through which slot passes a pin 9|. The pin 9| is secured in the bifurcated rear end of the lever 92 fulcrumed upon a pin 93 supported in a xed portion of the frame. The inner end of the Vlever 92 is weighted as at 94 so that normally it will occupy the position shown in Fig. 3. l

Again referring to F'gs. l and 3, it will be seen that the lower link I8 is provided with a laterally extending arcuate-shaped ledge or projection 95 which is concentric with the pivotal.v

point 22 of the link. The under face of the lever 92 is formed with a shouldered portion 98 which when the press is opened, overlies the lateral projection 95 and prevents the lever from being rocked clockwise. When, however, the toggle mechanism is moved from the full line position to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3,`or is partially straightened, the shouldered portion orA projection 99 will clear the laterally projecting ledge 95 and allow the lever 92 to move clockwise under a pull exerted by the operator, as will shortly be described, allowing the pin 9| to travel Vdownwardly and as a consequence allow the link 88 to move downwardly so that the push bar 39 may drop down to a position where the shoulder or abutment 84 will contact the roller 85 and fully straighten the toggle as the push b ar is moved to its extreme rear position, thereby effecting heavy pressure. l

Should the press seek to open under abnormal operation, or when it is not mechanically released by the operator, the member 95 coacting with the shoulder 98 will prevent the toggle from moving beyond the toggle position'as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, or, in other words, will prevent the pressv from flying open, with a possibility of injuring the operator. The ledge 95 and the shouldered portion of the lever 92 thus perform a dual function, as above set lforth.

As originally noted, the motor is constantly driven over `a succession of cycles of pressing operations but is not in effective driving relation with certain of the parts until the operator desires either to bring the head and buck into light contact or to effect patting, or to Yapply heavy pressure.

i To effect the patting operation, the operator merely depresses the outer end of the lever 61 which rocks the arm 92`and throws the cam 56 outwardly. The roller 55 and arm 52 are thereby rotated in a Clockwise direction, which motion through the eccentric stud 48 effects contraction of the Clutch band 41, and throughthe linkage brings the head andbuck together. The operatorthen vreleases the lever and as soon as the head rises a slightl amount, depresses it again. In this manner,'the operator causes the head to oscillate to and from the buck, in other words secures a patting action.

To effect heavy pressing operation, it isnecessary tobring the push bar 39 into the position from the dotted line position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 1. This dropping down of the rear end of the push bar 39 is effected through the following mechanism:

Pivotally connected to the lever 92 is a link 91 ywhich extends upwardly and is, in turn, pivotally connected to a bell crank 98 pivoted at 99 upon the fixed portion of the machine frame. A link |0I extends forwardly from the uppermost end of the bell crank 98 and, in turn, is connected `to the lower end of a downwardly extending arm |02 fulcrurned at its upper rearwardly extending end on a through pin |03. Said pin is mounted in the upper end of a bracket or standard |04, the upper portion whereof is yoke-shaped, forming a pair of upwardly extending arms`|05 and |06. i

Also fulcrumed upon the through pin |03 is a hand lever |01 provided with a laterally extending lug |I0 which underlies a lug II!!a formed upon the arm |02. By reference to Figs. 1 and 6, it will be clear that if the hand lever IUT be raised, the lug I|0 will coact with the lug ||0a to swing arm |02 in a clockwise direction, thus drawing the link I0| to the lleft. Bell crank 98 will thereby be"rocked in a counterclockwise direction to exert an upward pull upon the link 91 and raise the forward end of the weighted lever 92. Asa consequence, the rear end of lever 92 will be `moveddownward which permits the push bar 39 to' swing down to the full line position of Figs. l and 10 where it may engage the roller 85 and fully straighten the toggle.Y If at the time the rear end of the lever 92 is moved downward, the shoulder 84 is to the right of roller 85, the push bar cannot drop into operative position.' However, the rear end of the lever `92 is permitted' to drop to its operative position because of the slot inv the link 88. The push bar 39 will not drop into operative position until it moves to the left vsufliciently to bring the shoulder 84 to the left of the roller 85.

Hand lever |91 is provided with a second laterally extending lug |08 adapted to coact with a lug |99 formed on the forward short end of a lever vII I also fulcrumed upon the pin |03, the lever III at its rear end having adjustably attached thereto a tension spring 2 which normally rocks said lever in a clockwise direction.

The lever overlies the plunger or stem ||3 of a head steaming valve denoted generally by which, when the-lever is caused to move counterclockwise by depression of the hand lever |07 allows the plunger to rise and the valve to open.

Normally, lever |01 is locked against upward movement and it is necessary for the operator to use both of his hands to eifect its release and move it.` To that end the following mechanism is employed: Lever |02 above its pivotal connection with the draw link l0! is provided with an inward laterally extending lug I I5 which normally stands in alignment with a lug IIB extending outwardly from a second hand lever `l il fulcrumed at IIB upon the member |84. `A spring |I9 having its upper end seated in a socketed elementI I2| formed as1 an integral part of the lower portion of the lever ||'I and contacting at its lower end with the member |00 tends to move the lever |I'I upwardly into the full line position (see Fig; 6). When thus positioned, the' and as a consequence, thelever 92 cannot be action of the spring H9.

moved clockwise. `It isnecessary, therefore, for the operator to first move the lever ||'l downwardly to withdraw the lug H6 outwardly so that the lever |01 with its lug may he swung upwardly. This mechanism, in effect, is an in'- terlock which necessitates the operators using both hands to position the parts properly.

The push bar 39 cannot be lowered to effect heavy pressure until the head is 'approximately in contact with the buck because the roller 85 would be to the left of the shoulder 84, even when the push bar is in its extreme forward position. Therefore, when it is desired to effect heavy pressure, it lbecomes necessary to first lower the head ,until it contacts the buck by operating the clutch, and to then lower the free end of the push bar 39 and this is done by manipulating the levers |91 and as above described, which has the effect of rocking the level' 92 clockwise. This permits the pin 9| to move down in the slot 89 and allows the real` end of the bar 39 to come to its lower position where .the shoulder 84 will be in alignment with the operation which applies heavy pressure and remains inoperative therethrough, and as long as heavy pressure is applied. It should also be noted that the lever 92 cannot be rocked clockwise into operative position until the head and buck are in contact in which position the left edge of the ledge 95 is to the right of the shoulder 96, (see the dotted line position of Fig. 3). l The arrangements just described provide a dual safety factor.

'I'he parts are so proportioned that the continued reciprocation of the push bar-39 merely carries the shoulder away from the straightened toggle, and consequently the roller 85 on its forward stroke, and then on its rearward stroke to a point where it barely contacts the roller 85, or slightly short thereof, as the toggle may be carried slightly past vdead-center.

When the parts are in heavy pressure position, the lug ||5 overlies the lug ||6 and the parts are held in that position through the To `release the press from heavy pressure, the lever is depressed,

withdrawing the interengagement of the lugs just referred to and permitting the parts through the action of the weight 94 and a spring |22 connected with the bell rcrank 98 and a xed member of the press frame, to swing lever 92 about its pivot in a counterclockwise direction. Since the pin 9| is at the upper end of the slot 89, this movement of the lever 92 raises the push bar 39 from the full line position of Fig. l to that of Fig- 3. v

Upon movement of the push bar 39 to the left (Figs. 1 and 3), the wings 86 will contact the pads 81 and exert suflicient pull upon the toggle to break the same. When the press is locked in heavy pressure relation, the link 39 reciprocates in a line between its `pivotal connection and the roller 85 at substantially right angles to a line passing through the toggle pivots (see Fig. 10).

When, however, the push bar 39 is being raised toward the dotted line position in Fig. 10, swinging about its fulcrum, the wings 86 more closely 5 approach the pads 87, and when fully raised and the push bar 3S drawnv to the left to its full extent, it will exert a pull as well as suiicient movement upon the toggle to break the same. The press will then open completely under the action of the springs and counterweight heretofore described.

In Fig. ll a slight modication of the mechanism is shown, which will now be described. In the construction heretofore set forth, the pedal was used solely to actuate the clutch, whereas in the modication about to be described the pedal is used only for releasing the press from locked position. Mounted on the head is a bell crank handle |23 and its upwardly extending arm is attached to a link |24 which, in turn, is connected to a bell crank |25 pivoted at |26 to a fixed portion of the frame. Connected also to .the rearwardly extending arm of the bell crank .|25 is a link |27 and a spring |28, the other 25 end of said spring being attached to a fixed portion of the frame. The spring tends to draw the rear end of the lever downwardly and to raise the bell crank handle |23. Link |21 at its lower end is attached to the arm 32 of the corresponding mechanism heretofore described.

In addition to the lever |23, there is mounted on'the head a second bell crank handle ||l'|a having a downwardly extending arm |40 formed integrally therewith. Pivotally connected to the lower end of said arm is a rod |4| the rear end whereof is attached to the upwardly extending member of the bell crank |42 fulcrumed upon the pin |26 or a similar xed point upon the frame. The rearwardly extendingy arm of said bell crank |42 has connected to it a link |43 which at its lower end is pivotally attached to the weighted lever 92, said lever being the same as that described in connection with the first depicted mechanism insofar as its operation with the push bar and its associated elements is concerned.

Rigidly secured to the bracket 44 of the clutch band carrier 43 is a plate |29 designed to cooperate with the upper end of a foot lever |3| 50 fulcrumed at |32 upon the frame, the lever extending forwardly of the press frame where it may be actuated by the operators foot. Attached to the upwardly extending arm of the lever |3| is a link |33 which, in turn, is pivotally 55 connected to a locking pawl |34 fulcrumed at |35 upon a fixed portion of the frame. Spring |36 is attached to the lever |34 and tends to move it in a clockwise direction to bring its upper end intovcooperative relation with a lug to |37 mounted upon the weighted end of the lever 92, corresponding to the lever heretofore described and so lettered.

The operation with this modified form of structure is as follows: By depressing the bell crank handle |23 the clutch is actuated, which moves the head in contact with the buck. At this po-int, if it is desired to lock the press, the handle ||2'|l is moved upwardly. This, in turn, moves the lever 92 to the position shown in Fig. ll. The pawl |34 then, by means of the spring |33, is moved beneath the lug |31 and maintains the lever 92 in its operative position. In this position, as with the first described construction, heavy pressure and locked condition is obtained between the head and the buck. Once the pawl |34 engages the lug |31 the operator may remove his hands from the handle |23 and the lever lilla, even though the push bar 39 has not functioned to lock the press. In order to unlock the press., the pedal lever |3| is depressed, the first movement of which releases the pawl and permits the lever 92 to move counterclockwise to its inoperative position. A further movement of the pedal lever |3| causes a pressure between its upwardly extending arm and the plate |29, which action rotates the clutch band carrier t3 in a clockwise direction. This exerts a pull to the left on the pitman `8| and thereby breaks the toggle and opens the press.

`In the modified construction, as in the construction described above, it is necessary to have theohead and buck in contact before heavy pressure can be applied. In order to lock 'the press, it is necessary for the operator to hold the head and buck in contact by pressure upon the bell crank handle |23 with one hand and with'the other to then push the lever lilla upwardly. In

`other words, it is necessary for the operator to use both hands to lock the press, and as this is necessary, there is no possibility of an operators hand being crushed between the head and buck. i `Since the pedal lever |3| mechanically'releases the press from the locked position, it is no longer necessary to use the lugs and pads 81, previously described,y which, therefore, may be eliminated. The foot release mechanism as above set forth gives a much more rapid release of the press as compared to the mechanism rst described, wherein the push bar 39 must come to a predetermined position in its cycle of movement before press release may be had.

It will further be appreciated that in both forms the press head may be drawn down by hand to meet the buck.

With the construction first described, the press is opened through power actuation, whereas in the modified form the opening is dependent upon power applied by the operator.

What is claimed is:

l. In a garment pressing machine, the combination of cooperative pressing elements. one of which is movable toward and from the other; a toggle interposed between the movable element and a fixed portion of the machine, the parts being so proportioned that when the toggle is in substantially straight position it exerts heavy pressure between the pressing elements; a rotatable driving member and `means for maintaining the same in constant rotation over a succession of cycles of pressing operations; a pitman connected to the toggle; means under the control of the operator for effecting a driving connection between the rotatable driving member and the pitman to movev the latter short of straight position of the toggle; a push bar for straightening said toggle,` means actuated by said rotatable driving member for constantly reciprocating said bar; and means likewise under the control of the operator for shiftingl said bar into cooperative relation with the toggle to straighten the same.

2. In a garment pressing machine, the combination of a fixed pressing element; a movable pressing element; toggle mechanism for moving the latter into pressing position; a constantly rotating member; a bar extending from said member toward and past one of the links ofthe toggle; an abutment carried by the toggle and designed to Vcooperate with a shoulder formed upon the rear portion ofthe bar; a laterally extending wing at the rear portion of the' bar adapted when the bar is drawn forward to contact the toggle and to move the same from its straightened'position; a link extending from the bar, said bar and link being pivotally attached to each other; a lever fulcrumed upon the fixed portion of the frame; a connection 'between the rear end of said lever and the link, means eifective upon the lever to normally throw its rear end upwardly to raise the link and consequently to elevate the rear end of the bar and to thereby maintain said bar out ci" range of the abutment on the toggle; and means underthe control of the operator for causing the link and bar to move downwardly and the abutment on the bar to be brought into alignment with the abutment on the toggle to elect straightening of the toggle to bring about heavy pressure between the pressing elements.

3. In a garment pressing machine, the combination, of a Xed pressing member; a movable pressing member; a head carrying lever fulcrumed upon a fixed portion of the machine to which the movable pressing member is attached; a toggle comprising two links pivotally connected to each other and to the lever and a xed portion of the frame, respectively; an arcuate-shaped ledge or projection extending laterally from the lowermost link; a control lever fulcrumed upon a fixed portion of the frame at a level above said ledge, said lever having a shoulder formed upon its `under face and likewise being counterweighted at its forward end with its rearward end over-` lying the ledge aforesaid, and a detent for holding said lever in position with its shoulder depressed into the path of said ledge;l means for moving the toggle toward partially straightened position to effect a patting operation of the machine; a constantly reciprocating bar, the rear end of said bar being in juxtaposition with the lower link of the toggle and having a shoulder formed-thereon; an abutment carried by the lowerlink of the toggle; a link depending from the rear end of said reciprocating link; a pin and slot connection between the lower end of said last-named link andthe rear end of the control lever, the pin normally standing at the upper end of the slot and consequently holding the rear end of the reciprocating bar in an elevated position with its shoulder out of alignment with the abutment; and means under the control of the operator forraising the counterweighted end of the contro-1 lever, thereby permitting the depending link Vto move downwardlyA and the reciprocating bar to likewise move downwardly and to bring its shoulder into alignment with the abutment upon the lower link of the toggle; and means for releasing said detent and also effective for moving Y the toggle toward collapsed position.

4. In a garment press machine, thecombination of a buck; a head mounted for movement towardand from the same; a rotatable driving member and means for maintaining the same in constant rotation over a succession of cycles of pressing operations; toggle means interposed between a fixed portion of the machine and the head for moving the latter and movable between a collapsed position and a straightened position; means interposed between said toggle and the rotatable driving member for initially moving the toggle from its fully collapsed position toward straightened position; and other means constantly actuated by the rotatable driving member and eective for engaging the togglein an initially moved position and moving the same moving the head into heavy pressing' relation Withl the buck.v

5. In a garment press machine, the combination of a buck; a head mounted forv vmovement toward and from the same; a rotatable driving member and means for maintaining the same in constant rotation over a succession of cycles of pressing operations; toggle means interposed between -a i'iXed portion of the machine and the head for moving the latter and movable between a collapsed-position and a straightened position; means for-initially moving thek toggle from its fully collapsed position into an initially moved position, and including an actuating member capableof movement by said rotatable driving member through a predetermined distance and 6. In a garment press machine, the combination of ya buck; a head mounted for movement toward and from the same; a rotatable driving member and means iormaintaining the same in constant rotation over a succession of cycles of pressing operations; toggle means interposed between a Xed portion of the machine and the head for moving the latter and movable between a collapsed position and a straightened position; means for initially moving the toggle from its fully collapsed position into an initially moved position, and including any actuating member capable o movement by said rotatable driving member through a predetermined distance and manually controllable means for connecting said actuating member to said rotatable driving member; and other means constantly actuated by the rotatable driving member and effective for engaging 'the toggle in the initially moved position and moving the same toward its straightened position and thereby to move the head into heavy pressingrelation with the buck.

'7. In a` garment pressing machine, the combination of cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other; a toggle interposedbetween the movable member and a Xed portion of the machine; a constantly rotating driving member having a crank pin; a push bar attached to said crank pin and reciprocated thereby; a clutch having two clutch parts, 55'` Y member; a'pitman attached to the other said one of which parts is driven with said driving clutch part and pvotally connected at its opposite end to one of the links of the toggle; means under control of the operator for engaging -the clutch .parts together; an abutment carried by the toggle; a shoulder formed upon the push bar cooperative with said abutment to straighten the v toggle; and means for shifting the push bar into and o-ut of active relation with the abutment.

, 8. In a garment pressing machine, the combinationv of lcooperative pressing elements, one of which ismovable toward Yand from the other; a toggle interposed between the movable member and a xed portion of the machine ;v a constantly rotating driving member having ar crank pin; a push barV attached to said crank pin and reciprocated thereby; a clutch having two clutch parts, one of which parts is ,driven with said driving member; a pitman attached to the other said cluth Dalit and pivotally connected at its opposite end to one of the links of the toggle; clutch control means including adevice under control of the operator for engaging the clutch parts together and also including'means for eiecting releaseA of the clutch at a point in the movement `of the pitman just short of the straightening of the toggle; an abutment carried by the toggle; a shoulder formed upon the push bar cooperative with said abutment to straighten the toggle; and means for shifting the push bar into and out of active relation with the abutment.

9. A' structure as set out in claim 8, wherein the means for releasing the clutch comprises'a cam member anda roller member cooperative with the cam member, said roller member being mounted to move with said other clutch part and said cam member being mounted on a xed portion of the machine, said cam member beingk so contoured as to release the clutch when the toggle reaches a position close to but short of straightened position, and spring means for causing said cam and roller members to bear against one another.

10. In a garment pressing machine, the combination of a buck; a head mounted for'movement toward and from the same; a constantly rotating driving member; toggle means interposed between the fixed portion of the machine andthe head for moving the latter and movable between a collapsible position and a straightened position; and two separate ldriving connections between the driving member and the toggle means, one of said driving connections including elements for initially moving the toggle from its collapsed position toward the straightened position and terminating said initial movement prior to completed straightening of the toggle, the other -said driving connection being incapable of moving the toggle from its collapsed position, and effective for engaging the toggle in its initially moved position and straightening the same whereby to eiTect heavy pressure between the buck and the head.

11. In a garment pressing machine, the combination of cooperative pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other; toggle means to move the movable element toward the other element and including a pairof toggle links movable between a collapsed position and a straightened position; rst means for moving the toggle links from a collapsed position toward an intermediate position for applying a light pressure between said pressing elements; a reciprocable element cooperating with a toggle link to move the said links from the intermediate r position 'into the straightened position and thereby effect heavy pressure between the pressing elements, said machine also including means for preventing cooperative engagement of the said reciprocable element with the said toggle link in the collapsed position of the toggle; and constantly rotating means for reciprocating said reciprocable element continuously over a -succession of cycles of pressing operations.

12. A pressing machine as set forthin claim 11, and including means for changing the path of movement of the reciprocable element to render it eiectiven to break the toggle and move the movable element from the position at which heavypressure is exerted between the pressing elements. f

13. Apressing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the constantly reciprocated element comprises a bar having a shoulder presented adjacent the toggle, and wherein `the toggle Vis pro- (ill `wherein the constantly reciprocating element comprises a bar provided with a shoulden'an abutment on one of the toggle elements cooperative with said shoulder in the toggle-straightening relation of the parts, and means for shifting ened position;

the bar into a position in which it reciprocates with the shoulder moving in a path out of contact with said abutmenuthe bar being also provided with at least one lateral extension adapted to co-act with the toggle for breaking the same when the bar is in the said position.

i5. In a garment press machine, the combination of a buck; a head mounted for movement toward and from the same; a constantly rotating driving member; toggle means interposed between a fixed portion of the machine and the head for. moving the latter and movable between a collapsed position and a straightened position; means interposed between said toggle and the driving member for initially moving the toggle from its fully collapsed position toward straightandv other means constantly actuated by the driving member and effective for engaging the toggle in an initially moved position and moving the same toward its straightened position Vand thereby moving the head into heavy pressing relation with the buck, said other means including a bar connected with the driving member for constant reciprocation thereby, said bar including means engageable with a toggle link after said link has been brought into the initially-moved position and being effective for straightening the toggle from said initiallymoved position.

16. In a garment press machine, the combina-v tion of a buck; a head mounted for movement toward and from the same; a constantly rotating driving member; toggle means interposed between a fixed portion of the machine and the head for moving the latter and movable between a collapsed position and a straightened position; means interposed between said toggle and the driving member for initially moving the toggle from its fully collapsed position toward straightened position; said interposed means including a clutch and a pitman, said clutch being under the control of the operator and being effective when engaged to cause the driving member to move the pitman and therewith the toggle into an initial partially straightened position; and other means constantly actuated by the driving mem-v ber and effective for engaging the toggle in an initially moved position and moving the same-toward its straightened position and thereby moving the head into heavy pressing relation with the buck, sai-d other means including a bar connected with thedriving member `for constant reciprocation thereby, said bar including means engageable with a toggle link after said link has been brought into the initially-moved position and being eiective for straightening the toggle from said initially-moved position.

17. In a garment pressing machine, the combination of a buck; a head carrying lever; a head mounted thereon; a toggle mechanism for moving said lever; a constantly reciprocating bar engageable during its stroke with the toggle to move the same to straightened position for applying pressure between said buck and head; and means for shifting said bar under control of the operator for presenting it in a position in which it engages with the toggle mechanism during its reciprocation and moves the toggle mechanism to straighten the toggle, and in which said bar in another position is out of effective engagement with the toggle mechanism.

18.- In a garment pressing machine,` the combination of a buck; a head carrying lever; a head mounted thereon; toggle mechanism for moving said lever; a constantly reciprocating bar engageable during its stroke with the toggle to move the same to straightened position for applying heavy pressure between said buck and head; means for shifting sai-d bar under control of the operator for presenting it in a position in which it engages with the toggle mechanism during its reciprocation and moves the toggle mechanism to straighten the toggle, and in which said bar in another position is out of eiective engagement with the toggle mechanism; and means inde- -pendent of the reciprocating bar for partially straightening the toggle to an intermediate position of light pressure, a detent for preventing the return of the toggle from said intermediate position, and manually controlled means for releasing said detent.

i9. 1n a garment pressing machine, the combination of a buck; a head mounted for movement toward and from the same; a constantly rotating driving member; toggle means interposed between a xed portion of the machine gage the toggle means to move the same from the intermediate position into the straightened position and when in another position being ineffective to move or control the toggle; means for shifting the said part from one said position to the other, a detent for preventing the return of the said part from said engaging position; and means for effecting the rapid opening of the press and including a device for releasing the detent and a device effective upon release of the detent for acting upon the toggle to eiect a collapse thereof.

ALBERT U. WALTER. 

